title: A large scale survey of trace metal levels in coastal waters of the Western Mediterranean basin using caged mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis).
abstract: A large scale study of trace metal contamination (Hg, Cd, Pb and Ni) by means of caged mussels Mytilus galloprovincialis was undertaken along the coastal waters of the Western Mediterranean Sea within the context of the MYTILOS project. Individual mussels from an homogeneous population (shell size 50 ± 5 mm) obtained from an aquaculture farm were consecutively caged and deployed at 123 sites located in the Alborán, North-Western, South-Western and Tyrrhenian sub-basins for 12 weeks (April-July) in 2004, 2005 and 2006. After cage recoveries, both the metal content in the whole mussel tissue and the allometric parameters were measured. Statistical analysis of the datasets showed significant differences in concentrations between sub-basins for some metals and mussel condition index (CI). Linear regression models coupled to the CI were revisited for the data adjustment of certain trace metals (Hg, Cd and Ni), and four level categories were statistically derived to facilitate interregional comparison. Seawater masses surrounding coastal areas impacted by run-off from land mineralised coasts and industrial activities displayed the highest concentration ranges (Hg: 0.15-0.31 mg kg(-1) dw; Cd: 1.97-2.11; Ni: 2.18-3.20 and Pb: 3.1-3.8), although the levels obtained in most of the sites fitted within moderate or low categories, and they could be considered as baseline concentrations. However, few sites considered little-influenced by human activities, at present, showed high concentrations of Cd, Ni and Pb, which constitute new areas of concern. Overall, the use of active biomonitoring (ABM) approach allowed to investigate trace metal contamination in order to support policy makers in establishing regional strategies (particularly, with regard to the European Marine Strategy Directive).
authors.affiliation: Instituto Español de Oceanografía, Centro Oceanográfico de Murcia, San Pedro del Pinatar, 30740 Murcia, Spain. jose.benedicto@mu.ieo.es
authors.forename: José
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Benedicto
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Andral
authors.forename: Concepción
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Martínez-Gómez
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Guitart
authors.forename: Salud
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Deudero
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cento
authors.forename: Alfonso
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Scarpato
authors.forename: Josep
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Caixach
authors.forename: Samir
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Benbrahim
authors.forename: Lassaad
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Chouba
authors.forename: Mostefa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Boulahdid
authors.forename: François
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Galgani
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017756:Aquaculture; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D008522:Mediterranean Sea; D008670:Metals / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D049878:Mytilus / Q000378:metabolism*; D012044:Regression Analysis; D045483:Rivers / Q000737:chemistry; D012623:Seawater / Q000737:chemistry*; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D014877:Water Pollution, Chemical / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
chemical_list: D008670:Metals; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical